Best way to learn

[mtthwnvk]

So, I'm going to learn to tie flies. I'm curious: Is tying one of those things you can poke around the internet on and pick up enough good information? I only ask because I've taught myself a number of things via research and the good old internets, but the last hobby (playing banjo) I learn for a while via videos etc and by the time I went for a real lesson the instructor basically has to break all the bad habits I learned.

I'm kind of on an island in terms of fly fishing/tying: dad's a spin-caster, no friends that fish, etc. so I'm strapped for one on one advice, and I didn't want to drop the money on tying classes at a shop if you had to go in with prior knowledge.

Anyways, looking for any good starting points, Thanks!

-M.

 

[lightenup]

So, I'm going to learn to tie flies. I'm curious: Is tying one of those things you can poke around the internet on and pick up enough good information? I only ask because I've taught myself a number of things via research and the good old internets, but the last hobby (playing banjo) I learn for a while via videos etc and by the time I went for a real lesson the instructor basically has to break all the bad habits I learned.

I'm kind of on an island in terms of fly fishing/tying: dad's a spin-caster, no friends that fish, etc. so I'm strapped for one on one advice, and I didn't want to drop the money on tying classes at a shop if you had to go in with prior knowledge.

Anyways, looking for any good starting points, Thanks!

-M.

You can go to Shannon's Sunday tying classes, or the internet helps, so do books..here are two internet places that help me
Fly Tying Tips / Techniques / Equipment

Caddis Chronicles

Look at all the videos on the right....good luck,
and you will get frustrated...just, by all means, no matter how much you want to, do not stick you scissors in your eye....or a bodkin....

 

[mtthwnvk]

Thanks!

- Here's some extra characters so this can post

 

[sunsignarcher]

I can't say enough good things about Charlie Cravens "Basic Fly Tying".

The book starts you off with the simplest of flies and runs through 15 or so patterns with each new one building off the techniques learned in the previous patterns. It really is an ideal way to jump start the process.

His advice on tool selection is solid, the only change I'd make (did make) after 15 mo. of using what he suggests is the vice.

Youtube is a big help too. Watching as many people tie a given patter as you can and taking something from each of them is a great way to improve.

The only other thing I would add is if your going to do it go all the way and jump in with both feet. Make an investment in quality tools, you'll tie more, get more enjoyment out of it and you'll be better for it.

good luck

 

[JeffK]

I think learning face to face is the best, but the internet has grown into a tremendous asset. The season is late, but look for fly tying classes at TU chapters or fly shops like Shannon's. Go to fly tying/fishing shows and ask lots of questions. Ridge and Valley TU has fly tying night the first Tuesday of every month at the Musconetcong Watershed Building in Asbury. Bring scotch and cigars. The big advantage of live is that you can ask questions and ask someone to do it over again highlighting what you didn't pick up on the first time. Can't do that on-line. I have been tying for close to 50 years and I always pick up some tip when watching people tie live.

The internet is filled with great videos that are almost like being there. Matt Grobert, John Collins, Johnny Utah, Charlie Craven, Davy McPhail, and a whole host of others do an excellent job. Video quality is really good these days and you can find a good video of any fly you can think of being tied. There is almost too much to learn from, so it may be good to have a framework to work from, like Charlie Cravens book or the synopsis of a fly tying course. I would think the learning curve is faster when you have live instruction, but you can certainly learn how to do it on the internet. I have trouble with books. Sometimes the written description just doesn't make sense. But combine that with a video and the light comes on.

One more suggestion. There are tons of fly tying videos so you can usually watch several versions of a fly being tied. Some versions may help you better than others and sometimes the combination of a bunch of videos can make it clearer. Everybody ties even simple flies in their own style. Some will fit you better than others. There aren't many "bad habits" in fly tying - just different ways to do it.